fitted out a fleet, fully manned and equipped, and sent it against the Mohammedans, who were now impeding the navigation of the Mediterranean. A signnl triumph was obtained, and the conquerors returned laden with spoils from the towns they had captured and burned. This was the first united effort of the Christians against the Saracens, and perhaps the most successful of any. All, then, was ripe for the Crusade. The sword had been already drawn ; the idea was not a new one ; letters, imploring help, had been received from the Emperor of the Greeks ; three popes had preached a holy war ; the sufferings of the Christians went on increasing. Moreover, the wickedness of the Western Church was very great. William of Tyre declares that virtue and piety were obliged to hide themselves ; there was no longer any charity, any reverence for rank, any hesitation at plunging whole countries in war; there was no longer any security for property; the monasteries themselves were not safe against robbers ; the very churches were pillaged and the sacred vessels stolen ; the right of sanctuary was violated ; the highways were covered with armed brigands ; chastity, economy, temperance, were regarded as things " stupid and worthless;" the bishops were as dumb dogs who could not bark ; and the priests were no better than the people. The description of William of Tyre is vague, though heavily charged ; but there can be no doubt that the times were exceptionally evil. Crimes common enough in an age distinguished above all by absence of selfrestraint and abandonment to unbridled rage, would be naturally magnified by a historian who saw in them a reason for .the infidel's persecution of pilgrims, and an argument for the taking of the Cross. Yet, making allowance for every kind of exaggeration, it is clear enough that Gregory had great mischiefs to contend with, and that the awakening of the world's conscience by any